Sports briefs for July 11, 2013

Conn. golfer wins New England women’s tourney

HAVERHILL, Mass. — Connecticut golfer Katherine Partridge of TPC River Highlands captured the 57th annual New England Women’s Golf Association Championship Thursday at the Renaissance Golf Club with a 4-over par 220 in the three-round tourney of the region’s top amateurs.

Partridge, who will be a senior at Elon University this fall, recorded a 1-under 71 on Tuesday, followed by a 76 on Wednesday and 73 on Thursday to edge Massachusetts golfers Claire Sheldon and Tracy Martin, who tied for second at 224.

Emily Bouchard of Biddeford-Saco Country Club was the top Maine golfer, as she finished in fifth with a 226, a stroke behind Massachusetts golfer Isabel Southard.

The NEWGA’s team competition runs concurrently with the individual tourney. The low gross and the two lowest nets from each state are used to determine the winner of the Fanchon Cartin Trophy. Connecticut won after edging out Massachusetts by 2 shots.

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Red Claws Caravan to visit 11 Maine towns in July, August

PORTLAND — The Maine Red Claws Summer Clinic Series, which is sponsored by local Dunkin’ Donuts business owners, will tip off in South Portland on Monday.

The clinics will be hosted by members of the Maine Red Claws staff, including special guest appearances by former Red Claws players Kenny Hayes and Gene Spates, and are open to kids of all ages.

Pro cyclist Rodriguez confirmed for Dempsey Challenge

LEWISTON — Professional cyclist and recently crowned US Pro National Road Race champion Freddie Rodriguez of Berkeley, Calif., will return to the Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen for the third consecutive year.

The non-competitive run, walk and cycling event benefiting The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing will take place Oct. 12 and 13 in Lewiston.

Rodriguez, 39, rides for Jelly Belly presented by Kenda Cycling Team and is a four-time national champion.

The Dempsey Challenge offers a 5K and 10K run/walk on Oct. 12 and cycling routes of 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 miles on Oct. 13.

Participants are encouraged to create or join teams through the Dempsey Challenge website to build camaraderie and assist their fundraising efforts.More information, including participant, volunteer and fundraising information, is available at www.dempseychallenge.org.

Devils’ Kovalchuk retires with $77M left on deal

New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk is retiring from the NHL just three years removed from signing a 15-year, $100 million contract.

Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello had several conversations with Kovalchuk before the official announcement Thursday. Kovalchuk retires with 12 years and $77 million remaining on his deal.

“This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia,” The 30-year-old Kovalchuk said in a statement. “Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me.”

Kovalchuk recently completed his 11th NHL season, having entered the league with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2001. He helped the Devils reach the NHL Finals in 2012, and has scored 417 goals with 399 assists in 816 career games.

Belize players reveal bribe attempt before U.S. game

Two players from the Belize men’s national team have revealed that they were offered a bribe ahead of their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener against the United States, the confederation said on Thursday.

Woodrow West and Ian Gaynair notified CONCACAF that they were approached ahead of Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to United States in Portland, Oregon for a group stage fixture of the regional tournament.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) said it has launched a full investigation into the matter alongside FIFA.

Details of the bribe attempt were not disclosed but CONCACAF referred to “match manipulation” in their statement and said they have discovered who was behind the attempt.

“Initial findings of this investigation have resulted in a positive identification of the individual attempting the bribery,” CONCACAF said in a statement.

“We want to thank Woodrow West and Ian Gaynair and recognize them for their bravery and commitment to preserving the integrity of our game.”

Internationally, soccer has been dealing with the growing problem of attempts to fix games by betting syndicates.

Rays’ Moore to replace Darvish on All-Star team

Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Matt Moore was named to the American League All-Star team as an injury replacement for Texas Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish.

Moore is 13-3 with a 3.44 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 107.1 innings over 19 starts. The 13 victories is tied for the AL lead and broke David Price’s franchise record for most before the All-Star Break.

Darvish was place on the disabled list Wednesday with a strained trapezius muscle.

Alvarez to replace Gonzalez in Derby

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez was added to the National League team for the Home Run Derby on July 15 as an injury replacement for Carlos Gonzalez.

Alvarez has 23 home runs and will join Bobby Bonilla (1990), Barry Bonds (1992), Jason Bay (1995) and Andrew McCutchen (2012) as Pirates who have competed in the Derby.

Alvarez, who is a New York native, was selected to the team by Mets third baseman David Wright, who is the hometown captain for the NL team at Citi Field.

Gonzalez, who is an All-Star for the second time in his career, has withdrawn from the competition after suffering a sprained right middle finger earlier this week.